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Showing posts with label nuclear weapons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nuclear weapons. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Agni III IRBM or ICBM


Length : 17 metres
Diameter : 2 metres
Range: 3,000+ km
Payload: 1,500 kg
War head Type: Nuclear also
Velocity : 4km/sec



What is Agni III?
Some tout it as IRBM. some argue over that it is an ICBM in the veil of IRBM. The official stand is that Agni III tested by India on May 07, 2008 was an 3000+ km range missile with a capacity of around 1500 kg war head.
The question is what is IRBM & what is ICBM? then may be we can answer what Agni III represents. but alas there is no definite definition of even that. If you try and scourge few forums you would realise that the discussion everywhere is Agni III is an ICBM in the veil of IRBM. As the payload is of 1,500 kg, if it is reduced to 1000kg then the range of the missile would increase by almost 50% i.e. it could reach target of more than 4,500 km.
This stand could be vindicated by the Russian general's statement that the development of Agni III closely follows that of Russian SS-20 missiles & the range of Agni III can breach 5,000km.
Anyways the policy followed by Indians is quite impressive by packaging the ICBM range missile as IRBM and avoiding a controversy regarding it. This kind of diplomacy shows the coming of maturity of the Indian International Political stance.
The important factor should be there should not more delay in testing the other advanced and improved versions of this missile.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

K-15 Code name for Sagrika--Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile

India on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 successfully testfired tactical submarine-to-surface Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile(SLBM) 'Sagarika' codenamed K-15. The test was conducted from a 50 metre submerged pontoon off the coast of Vishakhapatnam. The missile will be mounted on much touted India's nuclear submarine Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV), which is in developmental stage.
India had earlier also conducted a test of this missile but was declared as partial success because of course deviation.




Missile Stats:

Length : 8.5 Metres

Diameter : 1 metre

Weight : 7 tonnes

Payload : 500 kg

Nuclear Ready : Yes

Range: 700 Km

Stages : Two

Developed by: Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Misile Complex, Hyderabad, Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Research Centre Imarat(RCI)

DRDL : Misssile design & development

ASL : Motors & Propulsion Systems

RCI: Avionics, including control & guiding systems & inertial navigation systems

The test has put into select club of countries with a strategic deterrent forceat sea. The other countries who have this capability are United States (Trident-11,300 km ), Russia (Bulava-10,000km), France (M4 - 5,000km) & China (JL-1, NA, JL-2- 8,000km under development).
The India has also now completed one more leg of Nuclear Triad for minimum deterrence. India already has AgniI, Agni II, Prithvi as Surface to Surface Ballistic Missiles. Sagarika will defeintely add punch to deterrence by providing sea based launch capacity. India is also working on its surface to air missile Akash & Trishul, Air-to-Air missiles Astra, anti tank missile Nag.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Indo-US Nuclear Agreement : Indian Govt reasoning and Way out as per Arun Shourie

Arun shourie has in this article demonstrated how India can increase its stockpile of nuclear weapons.
IntelliBriefs: Indo-US Nuclear Agreement : Indian Govt reasoning and Way out as per Arun Shourie

India should not only be counting on US help and imported uranium for its energy needs. It needs to fast forward its breeder reactors to reduce dependence on imported uranium and try to achieve sufficiency atleast for its weapons programme. The more fast breeder reactors we have, faster would be growth in our potential of nuclear power.

The study by Ashley Tellis, Architect of Indo US nuclear deal details that all the nuclear reactors in India (including the ones which are being constructed) will not require more than 30,000 tonnes of uranium in their entire lifetime. These are the reactors which are being used for weaponisation programme. Apart from that all the nuclear reactors used for power generation will not use more than 15,000 tonnes of uranium in their entire life time. India has total of 78,000 tonnes of proven uranium reserves. If enough research is done, the figure could go on higher side also.

Fast breeder reactors (reactors which give more uranium as output than the quantity consumed by it) are an interesting concept which will help increase the stockpile. so if we have one breeder reactor for every conventional reactor, we can completely eliminate the search for more uranium.

My Analysis

The nuclear deal with US is not for just import or more access to uranium but to be respectfully included in the group of nuclear equipped countries and in effect, diminish the value of NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement). Nuclear deal will not only give access to more uranium worldwide (Australia is considering exports of uranium to India) but also other nuclear raw material and technilogy available with the NSG group.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Pact without Bargain with Austalia----India's foolishness

Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson is on a visit to India to strengthen defence ties, particularly in the maritime survellance. It is being alleged by China that Australia, US, Japan & India (so called "axis of democracy") are seeking to "contain' China.

It is true to some extent that Australia and Japan have been wary to growing military might of China in the Asia Pacific region. Australia's Defence Minister before coming to India was in China and has tried to assure China that nobody is planning against China. even Indian Prime Minister has conveyed to Chinese Premier that they are not ganging up against China. In Short, everybody has tried to allay Chinese fears. But the situation on the ground remains different. US has still not made any comment on these developments or chinese allegations.


Brendan Nelson will sigining a pact with India for exchange of information. This will basically cover future defence deals, joint research projects and other co-operation where it is necessary for military of both countries to share classified information.


My Analysis & Recommendations:


Japan is an traditional nemesis of China and has always been wary of growing Chinese military might. Japan does not have armed forces of its own. Its military security is the responsibility of US and so japan has maintaining close ties with washington. Japan is concerned about China being militarily as well as economically growing at a fast pace. Until now, Japan was only the only economic super power in Asia Pacific region. It finds its position to be under threat now.


Australia has very close ties with US and has always supported US in all its deciions right from Iraq invasion to War against terrorism. Austalia being a island continent has being wary of chinese might in asia Pacific waters. it had recently also raised concerns about chinese A-sat (anti-Satellite) test and its repurcussions. It defintiely wants to curb the power5s of China.


US has not found enough ground in Asian region and has been trying to contain growing might of china. it has also being wary of China's attitude towards Taiwan and has also decided to extend missile sheild over Taiwan too.


India has own concerns and has always overlooked geo-political equations. India's approach towards international politics hasbeen pathetic with unable derive gains from its realtions with other countries. Even now when Australia, Japan and US are tyring to enlist India for conatinament of China, India should hard bargain and try to get maximum benefits from the same. India is rarely leveraging its influence on Indian Ocean Rim Association (formed by India with countries surrounding Indian Ocean). neither has India given thought to leverage this pact to get Australia moving on export of uranium to India, which is of prime importance to India.


India should try to persuade Australia to change its stance on export of fissile material to India, which it has stopped after "Pokhran 1998". It should also try to push nuclear pact with australia also on the same lines as with US. Indian navy should play a greater role in Asia Pacific region. Indian navy has always been on forefront to contain piracy onhigh seas and has always helped australia for that.


India should not fall prey to "democracy' plea of these countries and leave a chance which could benefit them. every pressure tactics have to be used to deieve maximum gains.


Lets hope India understands this......

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Spent fuel reprocessing & Indo US 123 Agreement

A lot is already been said about Indo US Nuclear agreement also called as 123 agreement. India has been adamant about two clauses in the agreement on which both the countries not relenting.



The two clauses are 1) fuel supply guarantees and; 2) Reprocessing of spent fuel.



Today we will discuss reprocessing spent fuel and why is it necessary for India?

To understand that, we first need to understand what is spent fuel reprocessing?

(I will try to keep this in non-technical language. even I am an non-technical guy)



Spent Fuel Reprocessing: Almost all the reactors use Uranium or Plutonium as fuel for processing. After processing, the waste product of this processing is highly radioactive Uranium, which is very toxic to handle and dispose off. In pursuant to use even that processed fuel, Fast breeder reactors(or so called) are developed, which use this waste product generated by PHWRs(Pressurised Heavy water Reactors) i.e. uranium and Plutonium together as fuel. Fast Breeder Reactor produces Uranium as endproduct and the quantum of Uranium so produced is more than that used as input in the reactor. This gives the reactor its name as Breeder reactor.
As India has very less reserves of Uranium as compared to other nations, this technology of breeder reactors is very crucial to India. The Indo US nuclear agreement deals with supply of uranium to Indian reactors. Hence once India has received the fuel, it also needs to Reprocess the spent fuel so as to increase its potential of generating electricity. Breeder technology can vastly improve India potential of nuclear power generation. So the issue of Spent Fuel Reprocessing is very critical to India and canot compromise on the same.
Another aspect of reprocessing of spent fuel is that the output of breeder reactor is Uranium and not Uranium dioxide or any other compound, which makes it idal candidate for its use in making nuclear weapons also. US is concerned with reprocessed fuel being used for military purposes and probable proliferation.
My Recommendations:
India should not relent itself from its current stand for allowing reprocessing of spent fuel. But instead of just relying on US and other NSG (Nuclear Materials Supplier Group) for supply of fissile material for its power generattion and Nuclear weapons, India should also progress vociferously towards utilisation of thorium as alternate fuel.
India has been developing AHWR (Advanced Heavy Water Reactor) Technology which uses throrium as its fuel and some plutonim as its seed fuel. AHWR gives uranium as waste product which can later be used as feedstock for breeder reactors. India's progress and programme for development of thorium cycle can be viewed in document issued by Department of Atomic energy. AHWR is also said to be one of the safest reactor designs in the world as they use thorium as fuel which is less toxic as compared to Uranium 233 or 238 used by conventional reactors.
India has already designing a prototype AHWR reactor and should spend more money for its development. The AHWR more information can be found here.
India should also acout for more Uranium deposits in the country itself(Meghalay has maximum deposits of Uranium but its mining is mirred by local protests there).
India should try to assure US that the reprocessed fuel will be used only generation of power and will not be diverted for other uses.
India on the other hand should also push for similar agreements with other nations which can be bullied upon. Similar agreements with other nations will put some pressure on US to conclude this agreement at the earliest.

Friday, January 19, 2007

General Gareyev Says Russia Changing Its Military Doctrine

Academy of Military Sciences is holding a conference on 20th January and the President of the organisation, General Gareyev will be presenting a report on new Russian military doctrine. In an interview with Viktor Litovkin, the General has made some interesting observations which could have an far reaching implications on the world order and also gives insights into the thinking of an superpower, its views about the other nations, their allies and also their supposed enemies. It also provides insight into how to frame an policy document which can have considerable effect on the other interested parties. The detailed Interview can be sought at following address
General Gareyev Says Russia Changing Its Military Doctrine

some of the interesting quotes are :
"We should define potential ways of using our armed forces and other troops, as well as the types of wars and armed conflicts that we could encounter today and up to the year 2015."
my comments:
this shows the farsightedness of the concerned person/state whilst framing such policies. It seems Russia has made considerable study on the matter.
"It is necessary to avoid excessive emphasis on politics and ideology, instead concentrating on practical efforts to build up defenses."
my comments:
This comment brings out the fallacy of being ideologically correct and failing on practical fronts, the kind of diplomacy India has been promoting. We should look for practical and realist ideas while avoiding into getting any type of ideological controversy. The General by expressing these views makes clear that all the ideas, logic are for them and they are not made for ideas or logic. It makes pretty clear that the security of state is of utost importance and above all other things...
"Ecological and energy factors will be the main causes of political and military conflicts in the next 10-15 years. Some states will try to control the energy resources of others, as happened in Iraq, while others will have no choice but to resist or die"
my comments:
The former part of the above comment relates to cuurent conflicts in the world and also its airs its views as how it has interpreted the Iraq war. It clearlr says that iraq war is not interpreted as "war of liberation" as war to control resources. The later part of the comment is directed towards US saying that the same kind of tactics cannot be used against them. Russia, itself, is a major producer of hydrocarbons and recently has been trying to wrest control from western companies. It has by hook or crook tried to get hold of oil companies operating in Russia. Kremlin indirectly through this document and its actions against foreign companies tries to imply that Russia can'tbe bullied by western powers and they cannot take control of russian resources.
This comment gives insight into mind of superpower and its view towards other superpower.
"Needless to say, poverty is not the only cause of terrorism. North Korea and Cuba are poor countries, but they have not produced terrorists. Those who attacked the U.S. in 2001 were far from being poor."
my comments;
This directly criticises the US diplomacy and atittude towards Islamist extremism and their repurcussions on US.
"It is perfectly obvious that not a single serious issue in the modern world can be resolved without Russia. We don't need confrontation with the U.S., or with the West, or the East."
my comments:
this emphaises that Russia is still a superpower and also that it needs to be consulted while making any decision about world order. At this juncture, I would like to draw attention to recent veto exercised by Russia and China while passing an motion on myanmmar government by UN Secuirty council. But alongwith that, in the same breath, It also says that it does not want any confrontation with any of the western powers. This will be further discussed below.
"It is abundantly clear that there is no alternative to a multi-polar world with major centers of influence (the U.S., European Union, Russia, China, and India). "
my comments:
This sentence alongwith other things in the same para makes abundantly clear the effect of growing influence of India on the world forum...(catering self ego...)
The following para makes clear that the western policies will lead to confrontations with many nations and that Russia is more than ready to fill the gap created by US in managing the wolrd affairs(read natural resources). Russia has at the appropriate time made comments about their doctrine. It tries to create a passionate image about them in the minds of the anti-western powers while also making clear that national interests are most vital to them and they would be protected at any costs.
Further in the interview, General says that growing influence of NATO over soviet era nations like Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgystan will not be tolerated and that the influence will be termed as infringements by western powers over their turf. it also further says that, Russia may retaliate for the same. Recent actions by Russia over fuel supply should corroborate the doctrine of russia. It also implies that though the doctrine is in public realm now, but it already is in works by the kremlin and effectively pursuing it also.
"Secondly, the use of nuclear arms and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continue to threaten Russia. The nuclear weapons of all major nuclear powers are ultimately designed to be used against Russia, whether we want to admit it or not. In this context, the task of curbing a potential aggressor by means of a strategic nuclear deterrent is becoming more important than in the past."
my comments:
According to me, these are the strongest ever comments made by any nation ever. It tries to imply that all the other nations other than Russia or Russian confederates are enemies of Russia and Russia could use nuclear weapons against any of those. This shows the strong hand of Russia.
Further replying to "possible first strike using of nuclear arms", it justifies that doctrine very convincingly. It clarifies that such weapons cannot used as tactical weapons to neutralize opponents like those in chechnya or any other enemy using proxy wars but will be used with utmost care and while it is attacked by conventional forces on all fronts. it further says that it could not such an conventional force so as to effectively guard its huge expanse. This it says needs an backing of effective nuclear deterrent.
This comment also shows why though western powers emphasize on non-proliferation but try to advance their own weapons. US is already in the process of modernizing its nuclear weaponry and he contracts for the Trident nuclear systems have been already awarded. UK also is in the same process.
Let anybody profess anything about disarmament the nuclear weapons are here to stay till it has not destroyed all of us.
Further Analysis:
What does this document reveal more? we need to analyse this from a situation where in future when all the major powers are locked into confrontation with other nations and next big war is looming over heads, who will side with whom!!??
Yes!!!! that canbe predicted.....Lets discuss that in our next post..........

Monday, December 18, 2006

Indo-US nuclear deal

George Bush today signed Indo-US nuclear pact and made it a law. In India, congress would have rejoiced but BJP,who actually put the founding stone for this deal, wants the government to reject the deal, while the Left seems to be unhappy over the over-enthusiasm(so called) shown by congress government to usher in this deal.

Meanwhile, Indian scientists have come together to voice their concerns over the deal. Their main contention has been their views have not been taken into consideration, while entering in this deal. They are also unhappy ovewr various conditions in the deal like India will have to report to US over their non-proliferation regime, which they feel as unwarranted as India should not be answerable to anyone for their own policies. Deal further states that India will not conduct any new nuclear weapons testing, which scientists is wrong as mere two tests cannot be enough to induct nuclear weapons into mainstream military use, and that too when developed nations have done scores of tests before actively inducting in defence forces.
Deal also says that India should align its non-proliferation regime/policies with that of US, which is totally unacceptable as India as being equally democractic country as US is, should have its own agenda, purpose and policy towards nuclear diplomacy in international arena.

The deal though has been made as an act in US, seems to find tough ground in India.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

WARM ties from COLD Japan

Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to Japan is being termed has highly successful one in economic ties with the country while a moderately successful one in regards to Indo-US nuclear deal.

Japan has committed to create a state of art freight corridor between Mumbai and Delhi but with a caveat that the same will be majorly used by Japanese companies setting up shop in India. They feel that Indian infrastructure is not so good to support their industries, so they want to build their own infrastructure in the country. In a way it is good as this will set a benchmark in the quality and all the other infrastructure being built in the country would try match its standards. Japan has also committed a FII investments of about $ 10 billion while FDI of around $ 2 billion is expected.
Japan has being non-committal to Indian nuclear deal with US and has adopted the policy if wait-n-watch. Japan has kept same kind of attitude towards Indian in nulcear matters since nuclear test at Pokhran in May 1998.

The moot question is why Japan on one hand is very co-operative with India in economic matters while has taken defensive stance in matters concerning Nuclear diplomacy? That too in the period when Japan itself has for the first time in its history after world war II created defence ministry. It is period when it has also not shied away from accepting the fact they do possess the technology to produce nuclear weapons but have also mentioned their intentions of not doing so.

My Analysis:

US always had the policy of using one country against the other to achieve its goals. Lately it has tried to influence China with all sorts of things. It also tried to use Taiwan against China but soon realised that tiny Taiwan is no match for formidable China. It then has pursued that goals by bringing in India into the picture. It also wants to rein in India's global aspirations and tame them for their own interests. Hence it has started showering India with goodies like nuclear deal and offer for various military equipment like AWACS and Fighter planes.
In the aftermath of Nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998, Japan ineffectively used the policy of sanctions. Indian economy has found to be resilient to global shocks. This has lead Japan rethink its policy towards India. They now want to ride the wave of reforms in India and also want to have influence over India. Hence, they are entering into rapidly growing Indian economy thereby creating a potential influence over our decision making and also reaping the benefits of growing economy.

India should awaken to the risks of getting into deals with countries like Japan. I am not saying that it should not enter into such deals. Rather, it should take the benefit of its grwoing clout inthe international arena but also create checks and balances to negate the ensuing risks in such kind of deals
.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

ISRAEL's Acceptance of Nuclear Status

Ehud Olmert of Israel had inadvertently accepted the fact that Israel does possess nuclear weapons. This had validated the fact known by everybody and ended the regime of ambiguity maintained by Israel so as not to fuel the Nuclear Proliferation by Arab states. In 1968, ship containing 200 tons of nuclear waste, called Yellow cake was hijacked. The disappearance of Uranium was not accepted till 1977. It was alleged that Israel was behind the hijacking and had stolen that shipment to enrich the same and produce nuclear weapons(though it has never been proved). It is estimated that Israel has produced/capability to produce 200-300 nuclear weapons.
An innocent slip of tongue by Ehud Olmert will have tremendous repurcussion with Arab states pursuing Nuclear capability getting a moral boost for their plans. This is going to further destabilise already shaky middle east. The ongoing conference in Iran regarding supposed Jew holocaust during Hitler's regime will still spread more hatred against Israel. The situation can still worsen due to the condition in lebanon where pro hizbollah are demanding ousting of head of state. If the hizbollah supporters have their toehold in lebanon, the situation in middle east become more explosive and may also lead to condition where war may become inevitable.
"These are the birth pangs of new middle east" These are historic words uttered by none other than ill (or may be not) famed Condolezza Rice may become true in near future. Only the words will be chewed by the western states themselves.
Though war now is not possible but it may soon become inevitable......

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

FUSED........

On November 21, 2006 Six nations, European Nation, United States, India, China, Japan & South korea signed a historic agreement & committed their support & resources for building a Nuclear Fusion Reactor called ITER (originally termed as International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). After many years of deliberations and discussions, the Idea has finally taken off.

Though the results of experiment can be verified only after a long duration say 10-15 years, it appears to be one of the most ambitious projects of the scientists around the world. The physicists have long dreamt of inexhaustible source of power and had betted on the fusion tech for the same. Though Britain has been conducting experiments in this field since 1950 and US laboratories also experimenting in this field, the results have not been so encouraging.

The current format of the US $ 12.8 billion ITER is designed in such a way that all the member nations will contribute in kind towards the project. France/EU would be commiting 50% of the resources while the other nations will be contributing about 10% of the total Cost. The Fusion Reactor will be located at South of France at Cadarache.

India is also part of this consortium. India also needs to be part of various International projects so that the benefits of the technological development in these fields and by these projects accrue to India also. India should also have been part of the
International Space station Project, building of Large Hadron colliders etc. India should keep an eye on the technological achievements and the benefits accruing from these researches. India, on its own cannot invest into such huge projects, so it should participate in these projects, as this will help to develop our own indigenous technologies also. India is also member of the Galileo positioning System Posi Project by the European Union and Russian GLONASS which will help in the development and access of GPS tech.

Such ventures though of extreme risk, always aid to development of new tech and progress of the basic sciences and should always be pursued.